Born as a rich, creamy strong ale, this full-bodied scotch ale is allowed to rest in selected oak whiskey barrels to mature and develop flavors slowly and naturally. The nose combines bourbon, American oak, and cotton candy aromas. Complex malt flavors framed in oak, with hints of vanilla, tobacco, and toffee. This is definitely a sipping beer, best served in a brandy snifter. This ale pairs well with dark chocolate and sturdy cheeses.

More User Reviews:

A: Copper with a white tan head, foams up nicely, not a lot of retention but it leaves a great lace.

S: Oak, vanilla, booze, caramel, toffee, light fruit.

T: Very woody, alcohol seems much bigger than 6.8%, but in an extremely good way. Nice caramel, cotton candy, toffee, vanilla, field berry and pear. Balanced bitterness, pleasant alcohol warmth.

M: There's a light residual sweetness but it has a nice crisp finish

O: I've been impressed with Phillips barrel-aged brews. They've never shown any obvious signs of oxidation like some other products. I think the barrel REALLY adds to the flavour here. Very nicely done. (626 characters)

The bubbles are fairly sedate, though their support is still tangible, the body a solid medium-full weight, and generally quite smooth, the perception of barrel swish ideally cutting through what might have been a tad cloying otherwise. It finishes on the sweet side, the caramel, vanilla, fruit, and alcohol not given much in the way of a challenge by wood or hops.

A nicely restrained Scotch ale, as far as the barrel treatment goes - the rest is a decently hefty caramelized warmer, worthy of evoking memories of the waning winter that really wasn't. I'm looking forward to seeing what else Phillips has in store for this Stillage series. (1,369 characters)

A - clear mahogany brown, very bubbly, one finger of head quickly fizzled to a thin coverS - mild grain with some peat, slightly sour aroma, light caramelT - fairly strong spicy rye-like grainy malt, subtle peat, some caramel sweetness, hints of wood do sneak throughM - medium body with fairly big carbonation, spicy with some alcohol heat through the finishO - a fairly well built warming scotch ale although could use a little more peat, barrel notes are on the periphery but well integrated, definitely a nice effort at a good price as per usual with Phillips (567 characters)

A- This pours with deep coppery bronze color, that is slightly hazy but still see through. The head is almost eggshell colored, with tinges of caramel tones and is at least a couple of fingers thick, and it only slowly settles into an impressive layer above the brew itself. Carbonation appears to lumber to the top and the lacing is incredible with thick foamy layers sticking to the side of the glass!

S- Heavy toffee/caramel aromas are complimented with semi-sweet chocolate, fresh vanilla pods, roasted malt which comes across slightly dry like oats and a slightly mocha-esque aroma blended in as well.....hop presence is minimal on the smells!

M/O- Full bodied, and velvety smooth, this is definitely a sipping beer! Rich, awesome full flavors that are almost desert like, I think this would be superb as an ingredient in a beef stew base! I think with strong cheddar or high cocoa content chocolate, this would be a great compliment! (1,297 characters)

Overall - A unique twist to a scotch ale by barrel aging in whiskey barrels. Pleasant to drink and looking forward to what Phillips brings in the next part of their Twisted Oak Stillage series. (489 characters)